Red Wine Argiano NC Non Confunditur 2020. Decant for 30 minutes or enjoy immediately. The Argiano estate is a pillar of the Tuscan Montalcino region, producing top-tier wine and amassing awards for well over four centuries. Bernardino Sani has been at the helm since 2015 and under his guidance, Argiano has become the first company in the Montalcino region to go entirely plastic-free. Their approach is sustainable and simple – respect the vine, and it will express the terroir through its mouth-watering fruits. The soil in Montalcino is rich in limestone, but through their mindful approach, Argiano have discovered varying microclimates among their vineyards, ideal for growing different types of grape. This vintage marries young Sangiovese with the French varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. The result is Non Confunditur”: unmistakable and unique. Mouth-watering cassis with cherry forms the solid core of this vintage, accompanied by notes of lemon balm, mint, and refreshing eucalyptus. The fruits that form this medium to full-bodied blend were grown on a mixture of loamy soil, loose clay, and marl with limestone. Non Confunditur alights with bold aromas, a strong structure, and an undeniable freshness. It still has some room to develop and is best paired with rich flavours, such as beef, veal, or blue cheese.
2020
Red Wine Argiano NC Non Confunditur 2020
Red Wine Argiano Solengo 2020. At the heart of the Argiano estate is a magnificent villa which was built in 1596, about the same time the property was first used to make wine. The estate switched hands between local aristocratic families for centuries until finally beginning to flourish as a winery in the 19th century thanks to owner Lady Ersilia Caetani Lovatelli. In 1967 Argiano actually became a founding member of the legendary Brunello Consortium which helped put Montalcino on the wine map. Solengo is famous for being the first Super Tuscan wine to come out of Montalcino. It’s a complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Sangiovese grown on the 120-hectare estate in the southwestern corner of Montalcino. The vines here sit at around 300 metres of elevation and enjoy plenty of warm sunshine, gentle breezes from the Tyrrehenian sea, and protection from harsh weather from Mount Amiata which is one of Tuscany’s tallest mountains. All the varieties are fermented separately in cement tanks followed by around 18 months of ageing in French barriques which are specially made for this cuvee. This helps to harmonise and integrate the various components and add gentle spiced notes to the rich dark fruit flavours. Enjoy now with rich red meat dishes like roast beef, barbecued reds, or earthy game like venison and wild boar.
2020
Red Wine Artadi El Seque 2020. The renowned Artadi estate from Rioja began a new adventure in 1999 when owner Juan Carlos López de Lacalle arrived in Alicante to unearth the secrets of the local Monastrell grape. Today Artadi works 40 hectares of vines in El Pinoso where the sandy loam soils, 600 metres of altitude and hot dry climate help create powerful red wines with real Mediterranean flair. El Seque is a single varietal Monastrell made with hand-harvested grapes which are farmed organically to produce the best possible fruit. The grapes are then macerated and fermented over the course of around two weeks before the wine is transferred to large 500 litre oak barrels where it rests for 12 months. This long beauty sleep helps to give El Seque gentle toasty notes which mingle harmoniously with the succulent red plum, blueberry and cherry aromas. On the palate the concentrated fruit flavours and full body are carefully balanced by freshness, fine tannins and characterful hints of sweet spice. Try pairing this bottle with a hearty beef stew, roasted pork shoulder or smoky barbecued red meats to match the intense flavours and power of the Monastrell.
2020